Jalen Wiggins becomes famous for doing homework at a game

Jalen Wiggins does not understand all the fuss.

The 2025 defensive end from Tallahassee (Fla.) Rickards has become Internet famous in recent days after a picture was shared of him doing homework at his high school’s basketball game.

There was Wiggins at the rivalry matchup between his school and Tallahassee (Fla.) Godby, papers in hand, laptop computer resting on his legs, enamored in AP physics work.

For the cliche of the dumb football player, this was not it.

“I’ve been surprised by [the attention],” Wiggins said. “I haven’t been following it as much. People have been telling me about it and I saw some of it but I haven’t really been following it like that.

“It surprises me. I didn’t think people would care. I was just doing homework. I’ve done it before. It’s natural.”

The 6-foot-5, 235-pound defensive end not only takes AP physics but also AP literature and AP US history this year, a full academic load for someone who is also juggling a busy football recruitment.

Wiggins plans to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering and so a serious academic regimen is expected.

The 2025 standout isn’t spending his day in gym class – even if in the basketball gym he has to get schoolwork done.

“All the noise was a little distracting but when I got into it, I zoned in and that helped me,” Wiggins said. “I just focused in on what I needed to do.

“Going into the next level, I want to go into mechanical engineering so that’s something I will look into when I pick a school so I can go ahead and get into that industry.”

As for his recruitment, things are busy. The Tallahassee Rickards defensive end already has double-digit offers and Georgia just entered the picture. The Bulldogs will be a major contender in his recruitment along with other schools across the Southeast.

“Georgia has [left an impression]," he said. "I’ve been looking more (at) schools like UCF and NC State, also Arkansas.”

Down the road is Florida State and while the Seminoles have not offered the Rickards standout yet he’s has been to campus multiple times and would be more than interested in getting involved with the hometown team.

“I’ve been going there back and forth to the games, taking visits and everything,” Wiggins said.